The Conservative MP for Saffron Walden has been accused of “defending the indefensible” after she appeared to make light of “disgusting” and “misogynistic” comments made by Toby Young about women and disabled people.

Taking to Twitter on Wednesday (3 January), Kemi Badenoch — who was promoted to vice chairman of candidates in Monday’s Tory party reshuffle (8 January) — wrote: “I’ve worked with Toby and know he is passionate about getting the best education for disadvantaged kids.

“It’s a shame he’s had to defend himself in this way, but this is what comes of tweeting while watching telly, (Toby Young) I warned you!”

The MP’s Tweet — which was concluded with a smiley-faced emoji — was subsequently flooded with hundreds of angry comments, including several from local constituents.

Ally Routledge, Women’s Officer for Saffron Walden Labour, said it was “inexcusable” that Ms Badenoch had chosen to defend Mr Young.

She said: “Recently we have seen women speak up about sexual harassment in politics and Mr Young’s comments on women MPs at Prime Minister’s Questions were inappropriate and highlight the problem with misogyny in politics.

“It is inexcusable that the first woman MP for Saffron Walden would go out of their way to defend the comments made by Toby Young.

“The resignation of Toby Young is welcome but he was not fit for the role of the Chair of the Office for students in the first place.”

Kemi Badenoch has now been put in charge of picking Conservative parliamentary candidates (Image: UK Parliament/https://beta.parliament.uk/media/ZvlyV4Qw)

Mr Young was today (9 January) forced to resign from the Office for Students — a position he was only appointed to at the beginning of the month — after a string of offensive comments he had made on social media came to light.

The right-wing journalist deleted up to 40,000 Twitter posts as a media storm broke following his appointment.

Several of the his comments remarked on the size of women’s breasts — including female MPs who had appeared on television during Prime Minister's Questions.

Read More

He has also made comments in various publications calling wheelchair ramps in schools “ghastly” and making reference to “functionally illiterate troglodytes with a mental age of six” when discussing the inclusivity of school exams.

Replying to Ms Badenoch’s post, Ed Stoner wrote: “As one of your constituents I would like you to register my view that Toby Young’s misogynistic comments are unacceptable and inappropriate for this job.

“Maybe ask some constituents before defending him?”

Natalie Ellis said: “This tweet leaves a sour taste in my mouth and does not make me proud to live in your constituency.

“To make light of the situation feels wrong, insensitive and is disappointing.”

Another added: “I hope when you next visit SEN (Special Educational Needs) schools in your constituency staff children and parents will find your support of a man who uses vile language about children with disabilities acceptable from their MP.”

CCHQ Vice Chairman for Candidates Kemi Badenoch (third from right) outside 10 Downing Street, London, as Mrs May reshuffles her top team

In her new position as vice chairman of candidates, Ms Badenoch — who was only elected for the first time last June — will be responsible for selecting the candidates for the party as it seeks to broaden its appeal in the next election — a fact that wasn’t lost on critics.

One Twitter user said it was “good to see the new blood in the Tory party have as much integrity as the older lot” while another questioned how her support for Young squared with her new position.

They wrote: “It is hard to understand that you can support the vile views of Toby Young and be rewarded by promotion to role of vice chair of the Tory party.

“You will have influence recruiting prospective candidates for 2022 — if the above is benchmark for good character, I fear for the younger generation.”

This was a theme also seized upon by the local Labour party, who said she was setting ‘worryingly’ low standards for the Conservative party.

“Why would she go out of her way to defend a man who consistently made sexist comments about women, who makes disgusting ‘jokes’ about masturbating while watching starving children on Comic Relief, and derogatory remarks about disabled children and people with learning difficulties?

“This isn’t the type of behaviour that should be tolerated in society, let alone public life and certainly not in the education system.

“Kemi is now in charge of selecting Tory candidates.

“It is worrying to think she may apply such low standards in establishing the next generation of Tory politicians.”

Read More

In a statement, Ms Badenoch said: “Toby Young’s comments were puerile and I don’t defend them.

“However, unlike the vast majority of people who have commented on this issue, I actually know him well from my time working with him at the Spectator.

“I respect and admire his remarkable achievements in education.

“A few years ago, I had private discussions with him on a professional basis on the merits of tweeting while watching TV as a way of engaging audiences for the magazine, which I referenced humourously.

“That’s what my tweet referred to and I stand by it.

“It was not a comment on misogyny, but providing a different side of the story to those who may have been unaware.

“I am saddened that people have chosen such a bizarre interpretation of my comment.

“Unfortunately with over 7,000 followers I am unable to clarify and discuss every comment I make with those who choose to misinterpret them.

“This is one of the reasons why I do not use Twitter often as a communications platform.

“I am increasingly concerned at the effect it is having on honest public discourse and lengths some people will go to distort the truth, to suit their own agenda.”